Charger and charging system

ABSTRACT

A pedestal type device that functions as anon-limiting example charger comprises a connection portion that is constituted by a connection plug and a cover. The cover is supported so as to be movable up and down through a second hole of a placement portion. Furthermore, a convex portion that is protruded toward a front side is provided in a center of a lower end portion of a rear support portion. Two first projections are formed on an upper surface of the cover, and a first hole is formed between them. The connection plug is supported so as to be movable up and down through a third hole. If the convex portion is fitted into a first concave portion formed in a rear surface of electronic device when the electronic device is placed on the placement portion, the first projections are respectively fitted into two third concave portions formed on an undersurface of the electronic device, whereby the cover is pushed down. Therefore, the connection plug is inserted into the depths of a connector of the electronic device.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese patent application No. 2015-210644 filed onOct. 27, 2015 is incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This application describes a charger and a charge system, charging abattery of electronic device that is placed on a pedestal,

SUMMARY

It is a primary object of an embodiment(s) to provide a novel chargerand charging system.

Furthermore, it is another object of the embodiment(s) to provide acharger and charging system, capable of easily placing electronic devicein a correct position of a placement portion of the charger even if aconnection portion is invisible.

Moreover, it is a further object of the embodiment(s) to provide acharger and charging system, capable of charging electronic device evenif the electronic device has different size.

A first embodiment is a charger that charges an electronic device whileplacing the same on a placement portion. The charger comprises a secondfitting portion, a fourth fitting portion and a second connectionterminal. The second fitting portion is configured to be fitted to afirst fitting portion on a first surface of the electronic device. Forexample, the second fitting portion is a convex portion or a concaveportion. Therefore, the first fitting portion is a concave portion or aconvex portion. The fourth fitting portion is configured to be fitted toa third fitting portion on a second surface of the electronic device isdifferent from the first surface in a state where the first fittingportion is fitted to the second fitting portion. That: is, when thefirst fitting portion and the second fitting portion are fitted to eachother, the third fitting portion and the fourth fitting portion arefitted to each other in a state where the electronic device ispositioned to the charger. For example, the fourth fitting portion is aconvex portion or a concave portion. Therefore, the third fittingportion is a concave portion or a convex portion. The second connectionterminal is configured to be electrically connected to a firstconnection terminal of the electronic device in conjunction with thefourth fitting portion.

According to the first embodiment, the third tilting portion and thefourth fitting portion are fitted to each other in a state where thefirst fitting portion and the second fining portion are fitted to eachother, and the second connection terminal is interlocked with thisfourth fitting portion, whereby the first connection terminal and thesecond connection terminal can be electrically connected to each other.Accordingly, even if a connection portion is invisible, it is possiblefor a user to easily place the electronic device in a correct positionof the placement portion by shifting a position of the electronic deviceto the charger.

A second embodiment is the charger according to the first embodiment,wherein the first surface intersects the second surface orthogonally orsubstantively orthogonally.

A third embodiment is the charger according to the first embodiment,wherein the second fitting portion functions as a first positioningmember that determines a position of the electronic device to theplacement portion, and the fourth fitting portion functions as a secondpositioning member that determines a position of the first connectionterminal to the second connection terminal.

According to the third embodiment, since positioning is performed in twostages, it is possible to determine positions of the first connectionterminal and the second connection terminal easily and precisely.

A fourth embodiment is the charger according to the first embodiment,wherein a fitting precision of the second fitting portion and the firstfitting portion is lower than a fitting precision of the third fittingportion and the fourth fitting portion. Specifically, since the fourthfitting portion is fitted to the third fining portion in a state wherethe first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are fitted toeach other, the positions of the first connection terminal and thesecond connection terminal are roughly determined by the firstpositioning member, and the positions of the first connection terminaland the second connection terminal are finely determined by the secondpositioning member.

According to the fourth embodiment, since the positioning with lowprecision and the positioning with high precision are performed in thisorder, it is possible to determine positions of the first connectionterminal and the second connection terminal easily and precisely.

A fifth embodiment is the charger according to the first embodiment,wherein the second fitting portion is in a position is configured to fitto the first fitting portion prior to the fourth fitting portion isfitted to the third fitting portion when placing the electronic deviceon the placement portion.

According to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to perform thepositioning with low precision and the positioning with high precisionin this order dependent on the position where the second fitting portionis.

A sixth embodiment s the charger according to the first embodiment,wherein the fourth fitting portion is movable in a directionperpendicular to a direction that the electronic device is placed on theplacement portion.

According to the sixth embodiment, even if the electronic device isslightly shifted in the direction perpendicular to the direction toplace on the placement portion, the fourth fitting portion is fitted tothe third fitting portion, and therefore, the first connection terminaland the second connection terminal can be surely connected to eachother.

A seventh embodiment is the charger according to the first embodiment,further comprising an elastic body that is disposed between the fourthfitting portion and a main body of the charger.

According to the seventh embodiment, the fourth fitting portion ismovable in a direction that a shape of the elastic body is changed.Therefore, even if the position of the fourth fitting portion to thethird fitting portion is slightly shifted, the fourth fitting portioncan be fitted to the third fitting portion,

An eighth embodiment is the charger according to the first embodiment,wherein the second connection terminal is disposed between two fourthfitting portions.

According to the eighth embodiment, if two third fitting portions areprovided correspondingly to the two fourth fitting portions, even if theelectronics equipment is turned in a direction perpendicular to thedirection that the electronics equipment is placed on the placementportion, it is possible to make the first connection terminal and thesecond connection terminal face each other when the third fittingportions id the fourth fitting portions are fitted to each other,respectively. Therefore, it is possible to surely connect the firstconnection terminal and the second connection terminal to each other,

A ninth embodiment is the charger according to the first embodiment,further comprising a movable member. The movable member surrounds atleast the second connection terminal, and is configured to move in afirst direction that the electronic device is placed on the placementportion. For example, prior to the first fitting portion and the secondfitting portion are fitted to each other, the movable member coversexcept a tip end portion of the second connection terminal. Furthermore,the movable member is moved after the third fitting portion and thefourth fitting portion are fitted to each other, whereby the secondconnection terminal is exposed.

According to the ninth embodiment, since the second connection terminalis almost covered by the movable member when not using the secondconnection terminal, the second connection terminal can be protected soas not to receive an impact etc. Furthermore, when using the secondconnection terminal, the movable member is moved, whereby the secondconnection terminal can be exposed.

A tenth embodiment is the charger according to the ninth embodiment,wherein the fourth fitting portion is on a surface of the movablemember.

According to the tenth embodiment, since the fourth fitting portion ison the surface of the movable member, if the movable member is moved,the fourth fitting portion is also moved. Therefore, the fourth fittingportion can be interlocked with the second connection terminal.

An eleventh embodiment is the charger according to the tenth embodiment,wherein the fourth fitting portion includes a projection having aninclined surface that is inclined to the first direction.

According to the eleventh embodiment, since the fourth fitting portionhas the inclined surface that is inclined to the first direction, whenfitting the fourth fitting portion to the third fitting portion, adisplacement of the fourth fitting portion in a direction perpendicularto the first direction can be absorbed by the inclined surface.

A twelfth embodiment is the charger according to the tenth embodiment,wherein the fourth fitting portion includes a projection in a shape ofcone or truncated cone. According also to the twelfth embodiment, adisplacement of the fourth fitting portion in a direction perpendicularto the first direction can be absorbed when fitting the fourth fittingportion to the third fitting portion.

A thirteenth embodiment is the charger according to the ninthembodiment, further comprising a first support member and a secondsupport member. The first support member supports the second connectionterminal movably in a second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection. The second support member is different from the first supportmember, and supports the movable member movably in at least the seconddirection. When the third fitting portion is fitted to the fourthfitting portion, the second connection terminal is moved in the seconddirection as the movable member is moved in the second direction.

According to the thirteenth embodiment, since the second connectionterminal is moved in the second direction as the movable member is movedin the second direction when the third fitting portion is fitted to thefourth fitting portion, it is possible to move the second connectionterminal that is surrounded by the movable member to a position opposingthe first connection terminal.

A fourteenth embodiment is the charger according to the thirteenthembodiment, wherein each of the first support member and the secondsupport member includes an elastic body.

According to the fourteenth embodiment, since the second connectionterminal and the movable member are supported by the elastic bodiesonly, it is possible implement high-precision positioning with simplestructure.

A fifteenth embodiment is a charger that charges an electronic devicethat has a first fitting portion and a first connection terminal, and isplaced on a placement portion of the charger, comprising: a secondfitting portion is configured to be fitted to the first fitting portion;a second connection terminal is configured to be electrically connectedto the first connection terminal; and a movable member that is movablein a direction perpendicular to a direction that the electronic deviceis placed on the placement portion in conjunction with the secondfitting portion, and surrounds of the second connection terminal.

According to the fifteenth embodiment, since the movable member is, whenthe first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are fitted toeach other, the movable member is moved in conjunction with the secondfitting portion, and the second connection terminal is also movedaccording to this, whereby a position gap of the second connectionterminal from the first connection terminal can be absorbed.

A sixteenth embodiment is a charging system comprising an electronicdevice and a charger that charges the electronic device placed on aplacement portion of a placement portion, wherein the electronic devicecomprises a first fitting portion on a first surface, a second fittingportion on a second surface that is different from the first surface,and a first connection terminal, and a charger comprises a third fittingportion is configured to be fitted to the first fitting portion, afourth fitting portion is configured to be fitted to the second fittingportion in a state where the first fitting portion is fitted to thethird fitting portion, and a second connection terminal is configured tobe electrically connected to the first connection terminal of theelectronic device in conjunction with the fourth fitting portion.

According also to the sixteenth embodiment, likewise the firstembodiment, even if a connection portion is invisible, by shifting aposition of the electronic device to the charger, the first fittingportion and the second fitting portion are made to be fitted to eachother and thus the electronic device can be easily placed in a correctposition of the placement portion in the Charger.

The above described objects and other objects, features, aspects andadvantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from thefollowing detailed description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a non-limiting example pedestaltype device when viewing its front from obliquely above.

FIG. 2A is a front view of the pedestal type device shown in FIG. 1, andFIG. 2B is a right side view of the pedestal type device shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing non-limiting mounting structure ofa connection portion shown in FIG. 1 when being viewed from obliquelyabove.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view at a line IV-IV in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view viewing a front surface of non-limitingexample electronic device obliquely, and FIG. 5B is a perspective viewviewing a rear surface of the non-limiting example electronic deviceobliquely.

FIG. 6 is an illustration view showing a manner that the electronicdevice shown in FIG. 5 is placed on the pedestal type device shown inFIG. 1,

FIG. 7A is a sectional view showing a partial section of a state justbefore an undersurface of the electronic device is brought into contactwith a cover when placing the electronic device shown in FIG. 5 on thepedestal type device shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 7B is a sectional viewshowing a partial section of a state where the undersurface of theelectronic device is brought into contact with the cover when placingthe electronic device shown in FIG. 5 on the pedestal type device shownin FIG. 1, and FIG. 7C is a sectional view showing a partial section ofa state where the cover is pushed down by the undersurface of theelectronic device when placing the electronic device shown in FIG. 5 onthe pedestal type device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another non-limiting example pedestaltype device when viewing from its front.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing non-limiting mounting structure ofa connection portion of a second embodiment when being viewed fromobliquely above.

FIG. 10A is a sectional view showing a partial section of a state wherean undersurface of electronic device is brought into contact with adepression portion of a First lock member when placing the electronicdevice shown in FIG. 5 on the pedestal type device of the secondembodiment, FIG. 10B is a sectional view showing the partial section ofa state where the undersurface of the electronic device is brought intocontact with a cover when placing the electronic device shown in FIG. 5on the pedestal type device of the second embodiment, and FIG. 10C is asectional view showing a partial section of a state where the cover ispushed down by the undersurface of the electronic device when placingthe electronic device shown in FIG. 5 on the pedestal type device.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a further non-limiting examplepedestal type device when viewing its front from obliquely above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS FirstEmbodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view viewing a front surface of a non-limitingexample pedestal type device cradle) 10 from obliquely above.Furthermore, FIG. 2A is a front view viewing the pedestal type device 10from the front, and FIG. 2B is a right side view viewing the pedestaltype device 10 from a right side surface.

With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the pedestal type device10 includes a main body 12 and a connection portion 14. As well shown inFIG. 2B, the main body 12 is formed in a J-letter shape when viewingfrom a right side surface, and constituted by a first pedestal member120 that electronic device 100 (see FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B) is placed(attached) thereon and supports a rear surface of the electronic device100, a front support member 122 that supports a part of the electronicdevice 100 from a front surface, and an accommodation member 124 that isprovided in a rear side of the first pedestal member 120. For example,the main body 12 (the first pedestal member 120, the front supportmember 122 and the accommodation member 124) is formed by a syntheticresin such as a plastic.

The first pedestal member 120 includes a placement portion 120 a and arear support portion 120 b, and the above-described connection portion14 is provided on the placement portion 120 a. The rear support portion120 b is formed in a plate shape, and provided integrally with theplacement portion 120 a so as to be extended upward from an uppersurface of the placement portion 120 a in a rear side of the placementportion 120 a. A convex portion 1200 that is protruded toward a frontside in a lower end portion of the front side is provided in this rearsupport portion 120 b.

The front support member 122 is a plate-like member provided in thefront side of the first pedestal member 120, and a part of an upper endportion is lacked. Therefore, the front support member 122 has, in bothends of a longitudinal direction, projection portions 1220 that areprotruded upward.

The accommodation member 124 is a housing that accommodates variouskinds of electronic components of the pedestal type device 10, and isformed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is opened in the frontside of the pedestal type device 10. An opening of the accommodationmember 124 (housing) is covered by a rear surface of the placementportion 120 a and the rear support portion 120 b.

Although illustration and detailed description are omitted, as thevarious kinds of electronic components, for example, a control circuitfor performing overall control of the pedestal type device 10, acharging circuit for charging a battery of the electronic device 100using a predetermined power supply such as commercial power, acommunication circuit for performing a communication with the electronicdevice 100 and an AV (audio and visual (video)) circuit for outputting avideo signal and an audio signal that are received from the electronicdevice 100 to an output device such as a television receiver, etc.correspond. That is, the pedestal type device 10 is a charger having acharging function, and, in this first embodiment, has not only thecharging function but a communication function. However, thecommunication function may not he provided.

The connection portion 14 includes a male type connection terminalconnection plug) 140 to be connected to a female type connectionterminal (connector) 106 of the electronic device 100, and a cover 142surrounding this connection plug 140. As shown also in FIG. 2A and FIG.2B, the connection portion 14 is provided on the main body 12 (placementportion 120 a) in a center of the main body 12 (placement portion 120 a)so that a part of the connection portion 14 is protruded from an uppersurface of the placement portion 120 a when the electronic device 100 isnot placed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view viewing the connection portion 14 and thefront of mounting structure 200 of this connection portion 14 fromobliquely above. FIG. 4 is a IV-IV sectional view in FIG. 2B.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting structure 200 includes a secondpedestal member 202 that supports the connection portion 14, that is,the connection plug 140 and the cover 142. A support portion 202 a ofthe second pedestal member 202 is provided with four cylinder members202 b in left and right end portions. These cylinder members 202 b areprovided in order to fix the second pedestal member 202 to the main body12 (placement portion 120 a) in an inside of the placement portion 120a. However, the second pedestal member 202 (mounting structure 200) isputted on a portion of a bottom of the placement portion 120 a, whichhas a larger thickness compared with other portions.

Although illustration is omitted, a spiral thread is formed in an insideof each of the cylinder members 202 b, and fixed with a screw from anundersurface of the placement portion 120 a. However, since the supportportion 202 a is also penetrated in positions where the cylinder members202 b are provided, a hole of each of the cylinder members 202 b isthrough to the undersurface of the second pedestal member 202.Furthermore, in the placement portion 120 a, a bottom is penetrated inpositions corresponding to the positions where the cylinder members 202b are provided.

In addition, although the second pedestal member 202 is fixed to abottom of an inside of the support portion 202 a, the second pedestalmember 202 may be fixed in a ceiling side by providing a screw holeextended downward from the ceiling of the support portion 202 a.

Furthermore, here are provided with two first attaching portions 202 con the support portion 202 a, Each of the first attaching portions 202 cis disposed in the circumference of the cylinder members 202 b and nearthe center of the support portion 202 a compared with the cylindermembers 202 b. A first spring 204 for supporting the cover 142 isattached on this first attaching portion 202 c.

The cover 142 is formed in a shape of oblong dome, and provided with twofirst projections 142 a in an upper surface thereof. For example, thecover 142 is formed, likewise the main body 12, by a synthetic resinsuch as a plastic. Furthermore, the two first projections 142 a areprovided in end portions of a longitudinal direction of the cover 142with a predetermined interval. Although the first projection 142 a isformed in a shape near truncated cone shape in this first embodiment, itmay be formed in a shape of cone or a hemisphere shape. Furthermore, thefirst projection 142 a may be formed in a shape of quadrangular pyramidtrapezoid or quadrangular pyramid having inclined surfaces (taperedsurfaces) in the front surface, rear surface, left side surface andright side surface of the pedestal type device 10. However, the firstprojection 142 a may be formed in a shape of polygonal truncated pyramidor polygonal pyramid having a bottom surface of a triangle, a pentagon(regular pentagon), or more.

A first hole 142 b that has a breadth extended in a longitudinaldirection of the cover 142 is formed between the two first projections142 a and in a center of the cover 142. The connection plug 140 isdisposed inside this first hole 142 b. Furthermore, a notch 142 c isprovided in a center of the upper surface of the cover 142 and in a rearside of the first hole 142 b. This notch 142 c is provided in order toprevent the cover 142 from being brought into contact with the convexportion 1200.

Furthermore, two second attaching portions 142 d are provided on a rearside surface (ceiling) of the upper surface of the cover 142. The secondattaching portions 142 d are disposed in positions on a straight linewith the first projection 142 a. The first springs 204 are respectivelyattached to these second attaching portions 142 d. That is, one end ofthe first spring 204 is attached to the second attaching portion 142 d,and as described above, the other end of the first spring 204 isattached to the first attaching portion 202 c. Therefore, the cover 142is supported from below with the first springs first springs 204.

Furthermore, the cover 142 is provided with a second projection 142 e ina lower end portion of side surface thereof, which is protrudedoutwardly of the cover 142 in a horizontal direction. That is, thesecond projection 142 e is formed in a shape of track (oval) in topview. This second projection 142 e is provided in order to regulate anupward movement of the cover 142 by engaging with the surface of therear side (ceiling) of the upper surface of the placement portion 120 aas shown in FIG. 4.

Furthermore, as described later, when placing the electronic device 100in a correct position of the placement portion 120 a, the cover 142 ispushed down so that the upper surface is located slightly above theupper surface of the placement portion 120 a. That is, before the cover142 is pushed down to the lowermost, the connection plug 140 is insertedto the depths of the connector 106 that is provided in the electronicdevice 100 (see FIG. 7C) This is for avoiding a poor connection causedby the connection plug 140 is not inserted to the depths of theconnector 106 due to assembly errors, dimension errors of components,etc. Furthermore, even when the cover 142 is further pushed down in astate where the connection plug 140 is inserted to the depths of theconnector 106, since the connection plug 140 is supported with a secondspring 206 as described later, the connection plug 140 is movabledownward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connection plug 140and the connector 106 from being damaged. Thus, a height of the cover142 is set up so that the connector 106 and the connection plug 140 canbe connected (fitted) to each other correctly. Here, correct connection(fitting) means that electrodes of the connection plug 140 andelectrodes of the connector 106 are brought into contact with each otherwith length of at shortest effective fitting length.

Furthermore, since a side surface of the cover 142 is brought intocontact with an outer periphery of a second hole 1202 that is formed inthe upper surface of the placement portion 120a, a movement in thehorizontal direction of the cover 142 is regulated. That is, a movablerange in the horizontal direction is determined by a gap between thesecond hole 1202 and the cover 142.

Thus, the cover 142 has a movable range that is determined by the firstspring 204 and the second hole 1202 in an up-and-down direction, afront-rear direction and a left-right direction when viewing thepedestal type device 10 from the front.

Furthermore, the support portion 202 a is provided with twoaccommodation portions 202 d that accommodate (hold) a third pedestalmember 208 movably in an up-and-down direction. The accommodationportions 202 d are adjacent to the first attaching portions 202 c, andare provided near a center in a longitudinal direction of the supportportion 202 a as compared with the first attaching portion 202 c. Thetwo accommodation portions 202 d are disposed so that respectiveopenings face each other, and accommodates stick-like support portionsextended from both ends of the third pedestal member 208. Furthermore,as well shown also in FIG. 4, the accommodation portion 202 d is formedin an L-letter shape in section.

Moreover, a first concave portion 2020 is provided in a center of thesupport portion 202 a. One end of the second spring 206 is inserted(held) into the first concave portion 202 e. The other end of the secondspring 206 is attached to a third attaching portion 208 a (see FIG.7A-FIG. 7C) that is provided on an undersurface of the third pedestalmember 208. A circuit board 210 is attached to an upper surface of thethird pedestal member 208. As described later, the connection plug 140is mounted on an upper surface of this circuit board 210. Therefore, thecircuit board 210 (connection plug 140) is supported movably at least inthe up-and-down direction by the second spring 206. However, since thesecond spring 206 can be not only expanded/contracted but bent, thecircuit board 210 can be moved in the horizontal direction.

The connection plug 140 is mounted on the circuit board 210. As shownalso in FIG. 3, the connection plug 140 is electrically connected to thecircuit board 210 so that a connection/disconnection direction of theconnection plug 140 intersects perpendicular to the surface of thecircuit board 210. One end of a signal cable not shown is connected tothe circuit board 210. The signal cable is extended into an inside ofthe accommodation member 124 through a third hole 1204 that communicatesthe placement portion 120 a and the accommodation member 124 with eachother. Then, the other end of the signal cable is electrically connectedto electronic components (control circuit) accommodated in theaccommodation member 124.

The connection plug 140 is a plug of USB Type-C, for example. Therefore,this connection plug 140 is provided with two systems of signal linesfor USB 3.0 or more and a system of signal line for USB 2.0.Furthermore, in an operation mode called an alternate mode, it ispossible to transmit data of other formats such as Thunderbolt(registered trademark) 3, DisplayPort, MHL (Mobile High-definitionLink), etc. while changing with USB. However, a kind (standard orformat) of the connection plug 140 can be changed suitably according o akind of the connector 106 (see FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C) that is provided in theelectronic device 100 and a format of data communication.

As described above, the third pedestal member 208 is supported with thesecond spring 206, and the support portions of the both ends areaccommodated in the accommodation portions 202 d. Accordingly, thecircuit board 210 is movable up and down between the two accommodationportions 201 d. However, since upper end portions of the accommodationportions 202 d are not opened, the third pedestal member 208 isregulated in a movement upward with being engaged by the upper endportion of the accommodation portions 202 d. Therefore, upward movementsof the circuit board 210 and the connection plug 140 that is mounted onthe circuit board 210 are also regulated by the upper end portions ofthe accommodation portions 202 d.

Furthermore, the third pedestal member 208 is regulated a movement inalso the horizontal direction by the accommodation portions 202 d. Thatis, a movable range of the third pedestal member 208 in the horizontaldirection is determined by a gap between the accommodation portion 202 dand the third pedestal member 208. However, a movable range of the thirdpedestal member 208 in a front-rear direction is determined by a gapbetween the accommodation portions 202 d and the support portion of thethird pedestal member 208. These are the same also about a movable rangeof the circuit board 210 and the connection plug 140 in the horizontaldirection. However, since the connection plug 140 is disposed inside thefirst hole 142 b that is provided in the upper surface of the cover 142,it is moved in the horizontal direction following a horizontal movementof the cover 142.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view viewing the front of an appearanceconfiguration of the electronic device 100 of this first embodiment fromobliquely above. FIG. 5B is a perspective view viewing the rear of theappearance configuration of the electronic device 100 of this firstembodiment from obliquely below.

The electronic device 100 is an information processing apparatus orinformation processing terminal such as an electronic notebook, anelectronic dictionary, a portable music player, a tablet PC, a featurephone, a smartphone, a game machine, a digital camera, etc., forexample. The electronic device 100 is provided with a display 104 suchas an LCD at the front of a housing 102 that is formed in a shape ofrectangular parallelepiped. However, as the display 104, in place of theLCD, an EL (Electronic Luminescence) display and a plasma display may beused. Furthermore, a touch panel is provided on an upper surface of thedisplay 104. However, in place of the display 104, a touch display thatthe display 104 and a touch panel are integrally formed may be provided.

In addition, although illustration is omitted, the electronic device 100is provided with hardware keys such as a power button, a menu button,etc. in a portion where the display 104 is not provided on the housing102 thereof.

Furthermore, the housing 102 of the electronic device 100 does not needto be limited to a shape of rectangular parallelepiped. For example,surfaces constituting the housing 102 do not need to be orthogonal toeach other, and a part of the surfaces may be slightly shifted from theright angle for an adjacent surface. Furthermore, each side surface ofthe housing 102 of the electronic device 100 may not be a flat surface,may be formed with a curved surface that is curved outwardly.Furthermore, joining portions that respective surfaces of the housing102 of the electronic device 100 are joined to each other may be madeinto a rounded shape (R form).

For example, the electronic device 100 has a size at the time of beingviewed from the front, which is the same or almost the same as a size ofthe rear support portion 120 b at the time of viewing the pedestal typedevice 10 from the front. Furthermore, a thickness (length in a depthdirection) of the electronic device 100 is the same or almost the samelength as a distance between the front support member 122 and the rearsupport portion 120 b. However, this is an example and should not belimited.

Although detailed description is omitted, in such the electronic device100, equipment dedicated applications or arbitrary applications can beperformed, icons or/and buttons are displayed on the display 104, forexample. A user advances a processing of the application by performing atouch operation to an icon or/and a button. Furthermore, an executionscreen of the application is also displayed on the display 104.Furthermore, a sound (music) accompanying the execution of theapplication is output from a speaker not shown. However, a sound may notbe output.

Furthermore, although illustration is omitted, the electronic device 100can be operated with using an operation input device while connectingthe operation input device of hardware to the electronic device 100. InFIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, connection terminal (connector) etc. for connectingthe operation input device are also omitted. However, theabove-described hardware keys may be used.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a second concave portion 102 a is provided in therear surface of the housing 102 of the electronic device 100 in a centerof a lower end portion. The second concave portion 102 a is opened inthe undersurface side of the housing 102 while concaved toward an insideof the housing 102.

A breadth (width in the longitudinal direction of the electronic device100) of the second concave portion 102 a is set slightly larger than abreadth (width in the longitudinal direction of the pedestal type device10) of the convex portion 1200. A difference (absolute value) betweenthe breadth of this second concave portion 102 a and the breadth of theconvex portion 1200 is set larger than a difference (absolute value)between a diameter of a bottom of the first projection 142 a and adiameter of an opening of a third concave portion 102 c (see FIG.7A-FIG. 7C) to which this first projection 142 a is fitted. However, anopening portion of the third concave portion 102 c is equivalent to abottom of a truncated cone that is a shape of this third concave portion102 c. Furthermore, the diameter of the opening of the third concaveportion 102 c is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the firstprojection 142 a.

Furthermore, in the second concave portion 102 a, a width of a portionthat is opened in an undersurface side may be set larger than a width ofthe convex portion 1200, and a width of a portion except the openedportion may be set equal to the width of the convex portion 1200. Ifdoing in this way, it is easy to introduce the convex portion 1200 intothe second concave portion 102 a.

A longitudinal length of the second concave portion 102 a (length of ashort-sided direction of the electronic device 100) is set to a lengththat the undersurface of the electronic device 100 is brought intocontact with the upper surface of the placement portion 120 a in a statewhere the convex portion 1200 is fitted to the second concave portion102 a.

Furthermore, a hole 102 b is formed in the undersurface of the housing102 in the center. The connector 106 (see FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C) to which theconnection plug 140 is connectable is provided in the inside of thehousing 102 in a position where the hole 102 b is formed. Althoughdetailed description and illustration are omitted, the connector 106 isprovided in the inside of the electronic device 100, is mounted on acircuit board on which various electronic components, such a processor,a memory, etc. are mounted, and is electrically connected to such theprocessor, etc. In addition, the electronic components to be mounteddiffer according to a function or/and use of the electronic device 100,

Furthermore, the two third concave portions 102 c are provided so as tosandwich the hole 102 b. Each of the two third concave portions 102 c isa concave portion (hole) having a shape the same or approximately thesame as a shape of the first projection 142 a that is formed in theupper surface of the cover 142 (see FIG. 74-FIG. 7C). That is, the twothird concave portions 102 c are provided in the undersurfaceorthogonally (it is not necessary to be 90 degrees strictly)intersecting a rear surface that the second concave portion 102 a isprovided. Therefore, when the electronic device 100 is placed on acorrect position of the placement portion 120 a of the pedestal typedevice 10, the first projection 142 a is fitted to the third concaveportion 102 c.

A reason why the two first projections 142 a and the two third concaveportions 102 c are thus provided, respectively is not only forpositioning the connection plug 140 and the connector 106 so as to bealigned on a straight line but for making a tip end surface of theconnection plug 140 and a tip end portion of the connector 106 face eachother even if the electronic device 100 is turned in the horizontaldirection, at the time of placing the electronic device 100 on theplacement portion 120 a of the pedestal type device 10 as describedlater. Therefore, the first projection 142 a should just be providedtwo, and it does not need to be disposed so as to sandwich theconnection plug 140. Furthermore, although the two first projections 142a and the connection plug 140 are disposed so as to he aligned on astraight line (in a row) in this first embodiment, it does not need tobe limited to this. For example, the connection plug 140 may be disposedso as to avoid the straight line passing along the two first projections142 a. However, in either case, it is necessary to match disposal of theconnection plug 140 and disposal of the connector 106 with each otherand match disposal of the two first projections 142 a and disposal ofthe two third concave portions 102 c with each other so that theconnection plug 140 can be inserted into the connector 106,

FIG. 6 is an illustration view for explaining a direction that theelectronic device 100 is moved when placing the electronic device 100 onthe pedestal type device 10. FIG. 7A is a sectional view showing apartial section of a state just before the undersurface of theelectronic device 100 is brought into contact with the cover 142 whenplacing the electronic device 100 on the pedestal type device 10. FIG.7B is a sectional view showing a partial section of a state where theundersurface of the electronic device 100 is brought into contact withthe cover 142 when placing ting the electronic device 100 on thepedestal type device 10. FIG. 7C is a sectional view showing a partialsection of a state where the cover 142 is pushed down by theundersurface of the electronic device 100 when placing the electronicdevice 100 on the pedestal type device 10.

For example, when charging the electronic device 100, in order to placethe electronic device 100 on the placement portion 120 a of the pedestaltype device 10, as shown in FIG. 6, the electronic device 100 is movedtoward the first pedestal member 120. In FIG. 6, a moving direction(inserting direction) of the electronic device 100 is shown by an arrowmark, and it is downward, for example. However, the moving direction canalso be referred to as a direction the electronic device 100 is placedon the placement portion 120 a. If the electronic device 100 is furthermoved, the convex portion 1200 that is provided in the lower end portionof the rear support portion 120 b of the pedestal type device 10 isfitted to the second concave portion 102 a that is provided in the lowerend portion of the housing 102 of the electronic device 100. That is, aposition where the electronic device 100 is to he placed on the pedestaltype device 10 is determined. Therefore, each of the second concaveportion 102 a and the convex portion 1200 can be referred to as apositioning member for determining the position of the electronic device100 to the pedestal type device 10.

When the convex portion 1200 begins to be fitted into the second concaveportion 102 a, as shown in FIG. 7A, the hole 102 b that is formed in theundersurface of the electronic device 100 faces the connection plug 140and each of the two third concave portions 102 c faces each of the twofirst projections 142 a.

If the electronic device 100 is further moved downward from a stateshown in FIG. 7A, as shown in FIG. 7B, each of the two first projections142 a is fitted to corresponding each of the two third concave portions102c, and the undersurface of the electronic device 100 is brought intocontact with the upper surface of the cover 142.

If the electronic device 100 is further moved downward from a stateshown in FIG. 7B, as shown in FIG. 7C, the cover 142 is pushed down bythe electronic device 100. The two first projections 142 a are moveddownward in conjunction with the cover 142. That is, since the firstprojection 142 a having an inclined surface is fitted to the thirdconcave portion 102 c having an inclined surface in a state where theconvex portion 1200 is fitted to the second concave portion 102a, thecover 142 is moved horizontally within the movable range, whereby a gapbetween the first projection 142 a and the third concave portion 102 ccan be absorbed (compensated).

Therefore, the connector 106 of the electronic device 100 and theconnection plug 140 of the pedestal type device 10 are positioned, andthe cover 142 is pushed down together with the electronic device 100,whereby the connector 106 and the connection plug 140 can be connectedto each other. However, by pushing the cover 142 down, in conjunctionwith this, the connection plug 140 is exposed gradually. Furthermore,each of the third concave portions 102 c and the first projections 142 acan be referred to as a positioning member of the connector 106 to theconnection plug 140.

Thus, a position that the electronic device 100 is to be placed on thepedestal type device 10 is determined by the second concave portion 102a provided on the housing 102 and the convex portion 1200 provided inthe rear support portion 120 b of the pedestal type device 10, andsubsequently, a position of the connector 106 to the connection plug 140is determined by the two third concave portions 102 c provided in theundersurface of the electronic device 100 and the two first projections142 a provided in the upper surface of the cover 142. That is, theposition of the connector 106 to the connection plug 140 is roughlydetermined by the second concave portion 102 a and the convex portion1200, and then, the position of the connector 106 to the connection plug140 is determined finely (precisely) by the third concave portions 102 cand the first projections 142 a. Thus, since high-precision positioningis performed following low-precision positioning, the position of theconnector 106 to the connection plug 140 can be determined easily andprecisely.

Therefore, when the electronic device 100 is placed on a correctposition of the placement portion 120 a of the pedestal type device 10so that the convex portion 1200 is fitted to the second concave portion102 a as shown also in FIG. 7C, the connection plug 140 is inserted intothe depths of the connector 106. That is, the connection plug 140 andthe connector 106 are fitted (connected) to each other. Therefore, evenif an effective fitting length of the connection plug 140 and theconnector 106 is comparatively short, the pedestal type device 10 andthe electronic device 100 can be electrically connected surely.

If the pedestal type device 10 and the electronic device 100 areelectrically connected, charging of the battery built in the electronicdevice 100 is started. However, when battery residual quantity is 100%,charging is not performed or charge is ended. The pedestal type device10 and the electronic device 100 are thus configured to be electricallyconnectable to each other. Therefore, a charging system is constructedby the pedestal type device 10 and the electronic device 100.

Although a case where a center of the hole 102 b and a center of theconnection plug 140 are aligned on a straight line and a center of thethird concave portion 102 c and a center of the first projection 142 aare aligned on a straight line is shown in FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C, since thewidth of the second concave portion 102 a is made larger than somewhatthe width of the convex portion 1200, there is possibility that thecenter of the hole 102 b and the center of the connection plug 140 areslightly shifted from each other and the center of the third concaveportion 102 c and the center of the first projection 142 a are slightlyshifted from each other. Even in such a case, the connection plug 140 ismoved within the movable range in the horizontal direction according toa movement of the cover 142, and therefore, the first projection 142 ahaving the inclined surface is fitted to the third concave portion 102 chaving the inclined surface. Therefore, when the convex portion 1200 isfitted to the second concave portion 102 a, the first projection 142 ais fitted to the third concave portion 102 c, and the connection plug140 is connected to the connector 106.

Although illustration is omitted, when the convex portion 1200 is notfitted to the second concave portion 102 a because the positions of thesecond concave portion 102 a and the convex portion 1200 are shiftedfrom each other, the electronic device 100 cannot be placed on thecorrect position of the placement portion 120 a of the pedestal typedevice 10, and therefore, the undersurface of the electronic device 100is not brought into contact with the cover 142. Furthermore, even if theundersurface of the electronic device 100 is brought into contact withthe cover 142, the cover 142 is hardly pushed down. This is because heconvex portion 120C) is disposed above the first projection 142 a (cover142) as shown also in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 6.

Thus, when the undersurface of the electronic device 100 is not broughtinto contact with the cover 142, the connection plug 140 is in a stateof being still covered with the cover 142 except for its tip endportion. That is, the connection plug 140 is protected by the cover 142.However, when the undersurface of the electronic device 100 is broughtinto contact with the cover 142 and thus the cover 142 is slightlypushed down, the undersurface of the electronic device 100 may bebrought into contact with the connection plug 140. In this case, sincethe connection plug 140 is supported by the second spring 206, the sameis moved downward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a fault that theconnection plug 140 is broken at a connecting portion with the circuitboard 210 from occurring.

However, as described above, when the electronic device 100 is placed onthe correct position of the placement portion 120 a of the pedestal typedevice 10, since the connection plug 140 needs to be inserted into theconnector 106, a spring load of the second spring 206 (compressionspring) is set as a value larger than a maximum insertion force (7 (N),for example) of the connector 106.

Furthermore, since the pedestal type device 10 and the electronic device100 are connected to each other in a communicable manner by theconnection plug 140 and the connector 106, it is possible to transmit animage or video drawn (reproduced) by the electronic device 100 to thepedestal type device 10, for example. As described above, since thepedestal type device 10 is connectable to a television receiver, theimage or video drawn (reproduced) by the electronic device 100 can beoutput to the television receiver via the pedestal type device 10.Furthermore, a sound reproduced by the electronic device 100 can also betransmitted to the pedestal type device 10.

Although illustration is omitted, the pedestal type device 10 isconnected to a television receiver using an interface and cable of aform such as DisplayPort, HDMI (registered trademark) DVI, D-SUB, etc,

Therefore, when the electronic device 100 is a game machine, it ispossible to play, while charging, a game so that a game screen isdisplayed on a monitor of the television receiver and a sound is outputfrom a speaker of the television receiver. Furthermore, if theelectronic device 100 is a tablet PC, it is possible to perform, whilecharging, an application that can be performed by the tablet PCconcerned so that an execution screen is displayed on a monitor of thetelevision receiver and a sound accompanying the execution ofapplication is output from a speaker if needed. Although a descriptionis omitted, this is the same to other kinds of electronic device 100.

Furthermore, when the electronic device 100 is removed (separated) fromthe pedestal type device 10 after the charging of the battery built inthe electronic device 100 is ended, a user lifts the electronic device100, for example. At this time, since the pedestal type device 10 is inastute where it is put on an arbitrary location, such as a televisionstand, a desk or the like, in order to separate (remove) the connectionplug 140 from the connector 106, even if the electronic device 100 islifted, the pedestal type device 10 should not follow it.

Therefore, in this first embodiment, in order to make the pedestal typedevice 10 not follow the electronic device 100 and thus to separate theconnection plug 140 from the connector 106 even if the electronic device100 is lifted, a lower limit of the spring load of the first spring 204(extension spring) is determined according to a formula 1. Here, aspring load is F(N), a weight of the pedestal type device 10 is M (kg),a maximum removal force of the connector 106 is f (N), and agravitational acceleration is g (m/s²). For example, the maximum removalforce f is 3 (N) and the gravitational acceleration is 9.8 (m/s²). Inaddition, each physical quantity is represented with the SI system ofunits.

F>f−Mg   [Formula 1]

However, if the spring load F (N) is made too large, there may occurthat the electronic device 100 is pushed up by a restoring force of thefirst spring 204, and therefore, a fitting state (connection state) ofthe connection plug 140 and the connector 106 is released. In order toavoid such inconvenience, an upper limit of the spring load F (N) of thefirst spring 204 is determined according to a formula 2. Here, a weightof the electronic device 100 is m (kg).

F<mg±f   [Formula 2]

The spring load F (N) is thus set up within a range of the upper limitand the lower limit according to the formula 1 and the formula 2.Therefore, when the electronic device 100 is placed on the placementportion 120 a of the pedestal type device 10, a fitting state of theconnection plug 140 and the connector 106 is maintained, andaccordingly, when removing (lifting) the electronic device 100 from thepedestal type device 10, the connection plug 140 can be surely separatedfrom the connector 106 without pressing down the pedestal type device10.

According to this first embodiment, a position of the electronic deviceto pedestal type device is determined by the second concave portionprovided in the rear surface of the electronic device and the convexportion provided in the rear support portion of the pedestal typedevice, and a position of the connector to the connection plug isdetermined by the two third concave portions provided in theundersurface of the electronic device and the two first projectionsprovided in the upper surface of the cover of the pedestal type device,and therefore, even if the connection portion of the connection plug andthe connector is invisible, by shifting the position of the electronicdevice so that the convex portion may be fitted to the second concaveportion, it is possible to place the electronic device on a correctposition of the placement portion of the pedestal type device. That is,even if it is impossible to see the connection portion of the connectionplug and the connector, the connection plug can be inserted into theconnector surely.

Furthermore, according to this first embodiment, since the connectionplug is inserted to the depths of the connector when the electronicdevice is placed on the correct position of the placement portion ofpedestal type device, even if the effective fitting length of theconnection plug and the connector is comparatively short, the pedestaltype device and the electronic device are electrically connected to eachother surely.

Moreover, according to this first embodiment, since the connection plugis supported by means of the spring, the connection plug is movable in avertical direction, and movable also in the horizontal directionaccording to the movement of the cover in the horizontal direction.Therefore, the connection plug is moved downward when the connector isbrought into contact with the tip end of the connection plug, or theconnection plug follows the movement of the cover in the horizontaldirection when connecting it to the connector, and therefore, whenplacing the electronic device on the placement portion of the pedestaltype device, while being able to reduce damage by collision as much aspossible, the connection plug can follow a motion of the electronicdevice.

Moreover, according to this first embodiment, since the cover issupported by means of the spring, when the electronic device is placedon the placement portion of the pedestal type device, it is possible tomove the cover in the horizontal direction according to the position ofthe electronic device. Furthermore, by setting the spring load of thespring that supports the cover to an appropriate value, the fittingstate of the connection plug and the connector cannot be released whenthe electronic device is being placed on the pedestal, and when liftingthe electronic device from the pedestal type device, the pedestal typedevice does not follow the electronic device, and thus, it is possibleto separate the connection plug from the connector.

In addition, although the convex portion is provided in the center ofthe lower end portion of the rear support portion of the pedestal typedevice and the second concave portion is provided in the center of thelower end portion of the rear surface of the electronic device in thefirst embodiment, as long as the connection plug can be inserted in theconnector, these positions may be set in positions other than thecenter. Furthermore, the numbers of the convex portions and the secondconcave portions may be two or more, respectively. Moreover, the convexportion may be provided in a side of the electronic device, and thesecond concave portion may be provided in a side of the pedestal typedevice. However, if there is no gap between the electronic device andthe rear support portion, or when there is almost nothing, it isnecessary to form the second concave portion from the lower end of therear support portion to the upper end.

Second Embodiment

Since a pedestal type device 10 of the second embodiment is the same asthe pedestal type device 10 of the first embodiment except that theelectronic device 100 is made to be able to be placed even if a frontside and a rear side thereof are reversed, a duplicate description willhe omitted, or described briefly. Furthermore, in the drawing, the samereference numerals will be applied to portions common to those of thefirst embodiment.

The connection plug 140 shown in the first embodiment can be used inboth front and rear. That is, the connection plug 140 can be insertedinto the connector 106 without caring front or rear. As described above,in the second embodiment, in order to make the electronic device 100 beable be placed even if the front side and the rear side are reversed,the second concave portion 102 a that is provided in the rear surface ofthe electronic device 100 shown in the first embodiment is eliminatedand the convex portion 1200 that is provided in the pedestal type device10 shown in the first embodiment is eliminated. With this change, a partof form of the cover 142 and its mounting structure 200 of the firstembodiment are changed.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view viewing a section of the pedestal type device10 in the second embodiment from the front. FIG. 9 is a perspective viewviewing the mounting structure 300 of the cover 342 in the secondembodiment from obliquely above.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the mounting structure 300 includes afourth pedestal member 302. The fourth pedestal member 302 isconstituted by two support portions 302 a and two fourth attachingportions 302 b. If viewing a section of the support portion 302 a fromthe front, the support portion 302 a has a portion that is formed in aconcave portion, and the fourth attaching portion 302 b is provided in abottom of the concave portion.

The support portion 302 a is protruded out of the concave portion in oneupper end portion of the concave portion, and has an engaging portionthat regulates a upward movement of a fifth pedestal member 308.Furthermore, the support portion 302 a has a plate-like portion that isextended out of the concave portion in the horizontal direction in theother upper end portion of the concave portion.

Although illustration is omitted, the fourth attaching portion 302 b hasa screw hole that a spiral slot is formed in an inside thereof. However,in a position where the fourth attaching portion 302 b is provided, thesupport portion 302 a is also penetrated, and therefore, a screw hole ofthe fourth attaching portion 302 b is communicated to an undersurface ofthe fourth pedestal member 302. Furthermore, in the placement portion120 a, a bottom of a position corresponding to the position where thefount attaching portion 302 b is provided is penetrated. Therefore, thefourth pedestal member 302 is fixed with a screw from the undersurfaceof the placement portion 120 a.

Furthermore, one end of a third spring 304 is mounted to the fourthattaching portion 302 b. The other end of the third spring 304 isattached to a fifth attaching portion 310 b that is provided in anundersurface of a first lock member 310. That is, the first lock member310 is supported by means of the third spring 304 from below, and can bedisplaced in an up-and-down direction.

However, the fifth pedestal member 308 is equivalent to one that thesupport portions of both ends are eliminated from the third pedestalmember 208 shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the secondembodiment, the fifth pedestal member 308 is sandwiched by the twosupport portions 302 a. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, likewisethe first embodiment, the circuit board 210 is attached to the fifthpedestal member 308, and further, the connection plug 140 is mounted onthe upper surface of the circuit board 210.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, a sixth attaching portion 308 ais formed in an undersurface of the fifth pedestal member 308, to whichone end of a fourth spring 306 is attached. The other end of the fourthspring 306 is fitted (held) to a fourth concave portion 1222 that isformed in a bottom of an inside of the placement portion 120 a.Therefore, the fifth pedestal member 308 is supported by means of thefourth spring 306 so as to be movable in the up-and-down direction atleast. However, since the fourth spring 306 can be not onlyexpanded/contracted but bent, the fifth pedestal member 308 is movablein the horizontal direction. Therefore, the circuit board 210 and theconnection plug 140 are also movable in the up-and-down direction andthe horizontal direction.

Furthermore, a depression portion 310 a of a shape of quadrangular prismis provided on an upper surface of a first lock member 310 and above thefifth attaching portion 310 b. This depression portion 310 a is disposedbetween a third projection 342 a that is formed on the upper surface ofthe cover 342 and a fourth hole 342 b through which the connection plug140 is passed, and an inside of a fifth hole 342 c that is provided nearthe third projection 342 a. Furthermore, this depression portion 310 ais set in a height as the same as that of the third projection 342 a orlower than the third projection 342 a before the electronic device 100is placed on the placement portion 120 a.

Moreover, an engaging portion 310 c that is formed in a L-letter shapein section is provided in the first lock member 310. The engagingportion 310 c is protruded toward the cover 342, and inclined so as torise in that protruded portion as a lower end surface opposite to anupper end surface that is engaged (brought into contact) with the cover342 goes toward a side surface of the cover 342. That is, an inclinedsurface is formed in the undersurface (side surface) of the engagingportion 310 c.

Between a ceiling of the placement portion 120 a and a plate-likeportion of the support portion 302 a, a second lock member 312 and afifth spring 314 are provided. The second lock member 312 is formed in ashape of rod. In this second embodiment, one end portion of the secondlock member 312 is fitted to a portion of a notch 342 d that is formedin a lower end portion on the left (or right) of the cover 342, therebyto regulate a downward movement of the cover 342. That is, the cover 342is locked. Furthermore, the other end portion of the second lock member312 is formed more thinly than the one end portion, to which one end ofthe fifth spring 314 is attached. The other end portion of the fifthspring 314 is brought into contact with a wall 1206 that is extendeddownward from the ceiling of the placement portion 120 a. Therefore, thesecond lock member 312 is provided movably in a longitudinal directionthereof (left-right direction).

Furthermore, the cover 342 is provided with a fourth projection 342 ethat is protruded out of the cover 342 in a horizontal direction in alower end portion of the side surface in a portion where the notch 342 dis not formed. This fourth projection 342 e is provided in order toregulate an upward movement of the cover 342 while being engaged with arear side surface ceiling) of the upper surface of the placement portion120 a.

FIG. 10A is a sectional view showing a partial section of a state wherethe undersurface of the electronic device 100 is brought into contactwith the depression portion 310 a of the first lock member 310 whenplacing the electronic device 100 on the pedestal type device 10. FIG.10B is a sectional view showing the partial section of a state where theundersurface of the electronic device 100 is brought into contact withthe cover 342 when placing the electronic device 100 on the pedestaltype device 10. FIG. 10C is a sectional view showing the partial sectionin the state where the cover 342 is pushed down by the undersurface ofthe electronic device 100 when placing the electronic device 100 on thepedestal type device 10.

In also the second embodiment, as show in FIG. 6, when the electronicdevice 100 is moved in the moving direction and the position of theelectronic device 100 to the pedestal type device 10 is correct, asshown in FIG. 10A, the undersurface of the electronic device 100 isbrought into contact with (abutted on) the upper surface of thedepression portion 310 a of the first lock member 310. At this time, asshown in FIG. 10A, the hole 102 b formed in the undersurface of theelectronic device 100 faces the connection plug 140, and each of the twothird concave portions 102 c faces each of the two third projections 342a formed in the upper surface of the cover 342.

If the electronic device 100 is further moved downward from a stateshown in FIG. 10A, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first lock member 310 ispushed down. Then, due to the inclined surface of the first lock member310, the second lock member 312 is moved toward the end portion of theleft right away from the center of the pedestal type device 10.Therefore, the lock of the cover 342 is released. Accordingly, each ofthe two third projections 342 a is fitted to corresponding each of thetwo third concave portions 102 c, and the undersurface of the electronicdevice 100 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the cover342. In the second embodiment, when the lock is released, each of thetwo third projections 342 a is fitted to corresponding each of the twothird concave portions 102 c.

If the electronic device 100 is further moved downward from a stateshown in FIG. 10B, as shown in FIG. 10C, the cover 342 is pushed down bythe electronic device 100. Likewise the first embodiment, the two thirdprojections 342 a are moved downward in conjunction with the cover 342.That is, when the third projections 342 a are fitted to the thirdconcave portions 102 c, the connector 106 of the electronic device 100and the connection plug 140 of the pedestal type device 10 arepositioned, and the cover 342 is pushed down together with theelectronic device 100. Therefore, the connection plug 140 is connectedto the connector 106. However, in also the second embodiment, likewisethe first embodiment, if the cover 342 is pushed down, in conjunctionwith this, the connection plug 140 is gradually exposed.

Thus, in the second embodiment, a position of the electronic device 100to the pedestal type device 10 is determined by matching the positionthereof to a position capable of releasing the lock, and a position ofthe connector 106 to the connection plug 140 is determined by the twothird concave portions 102 c provided in the undersurface of theelectronic device 100 and the two third projections 342 a provided inthe upper surface of the cover 342. Therefore, as shown also in FIG.10C, when the electronic device 100 is placed on the correct position ofthe placement portion 120 a of the pedestal type device 10, theconnection plug 140 is inserted to the depths of the connector 106.

Although illustration is omitted, since the electronic device 100 is notplaced on the correct position of the placement portion 120 a of thepedestal type device 10 when the electronic device 100 is shifted fromthe position capable of releasing the lock, the undersurface of theelectronic device 100 is not brought into contact with the cover 342 andthe depression portion 310 a of the first lock member 310. Otherwise,even if the undersurface of the electronic device 100 is brought intocontact with the first lock member 310, the first lock member 310 ishardly pushed down.

In such a case, since the lock of the cover 342 is not released,likewise the first embodiment, the connection plug 140 is in a statestill covered with the cover 342 except for the tip end portion thereof.However, when the lock of the cover 342 is released and the cover 342 isslightly pushed down, the undersurface of the electronic device 100 maybe brought into contact with the connection plug 140. In this case,since the connection plug 140 is support d by the fourth spring 306, itis moved downward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a fault that theconnection plug 140 is broken at a connecting portion with the circuitboard 210 from occurring.

Furthermore, although detailed description is omitted, also in thesecond embodiment, likewise the first embodiment, a spring load F of thethird spring 304 is appropriately set up according to the formula 1 andthe formula 2. Furthermore, a spring load of the fourth spring 306(compression spring) is also set up, likewise the first embodiment, to avalue larger than a maximum insertion force (7(N), for example) of theconnector 106.

Moreover, in the second embodiment, when removing (lifting) theelectronic device 100 from the pedestal type device 10, according to amovement of the electronic device 100 upward, the first lock member 310and the cover 342 are also moved upward. As shown in FIG. 10A-FIG. 10C,in the second lock member 312, the lower end surface is inclined in theend portion of the first lock member 310 so as to rise as the lower endsurface goes toward the side surface of the first lock member 310. Thatis, an inclined surface is formed in the undersurface (side surface) ofthe second lock member 312. Therefore, since the upper end portion ofthe engaging portion 310 c is moved along the inclined surface of thesecond lock member 312 when the first lock member 310 rises, theengaging portion 310 c is not cringed with the second lock member 312.Therefore, if the electronic device 100 is removed from the pedestaltype device 10, the first lock member 310 and the second lock member 312return to their original positions together with the cover 342.

According to the second embodiment, since a lock mechanism for lockingthe cover is provided in the mounting structure, even if the convexportion 1200 and the second concave portion 102 a shown in the firstembodiment are not provided, it is possible to obtain, by this lockmechanism, the same effect as a case where the electronic device 100 tothe pedestal type device 10 is positioned by the convex portion 1200 andthe second concave portion 102 a. Therefore, in also the secondembodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment can be expected.

In addition, in the second embodiment, in order to make the electronicdevice 100 be able to be placed on the placement portion 120 a of thepedestal type device 10 even if the front side and the rear side arereversed, the rear support portion 120 b is not provided with the convexportion 1200 and the rear surface of the electronic device 100 is notprovided with the second concave portion 102 a; however, the convexportion 1200 and the second concave portion 102 a may be providedlikewise the first embodiment and thus the electronic device 100 may bemade to be able to be placed on the pedestal type device 10 in a statewhere the electronic device 100 is oriented to one direction. In thiscase, it is thinkable that it is possible to easily lead the position ofthe electronic device to the position capable of releasing the lock bythe convex portion 1200 and the second concave portion 102 a.

Furthermore, although a case where the size of the front of theelectronic device is almost the same as that of the front of the rearsupport portion of pedestal type device is described in eachabove-described embodiment, it does not need to be limited to this. Forexample, the size of the front of the electronic device may be smallerthan the size of the front of the rear support portion of pedestal typedevice. Furthermore, since the left and right side surfaces and theupper surface of the first pedestal member are opened in the pedestaltype device of the above-described embodiments when viewing it from thefront, the size of the front of the electronic device may be larger thanthe size of the front of rear support portion. However, in either case,the electronic device needs to have the second concave portion to whichthe convex portion provided in the rear support portion of the pedestaltype device is fitted and to have the hole that the connector isdisposed between the two third concave portions to which the projectionsprovided on the cover of the pedestal type device are fitted in planethat is adjacent to a surface on which the second concave portion isprovided and orthogonally intersecting or substantively orthogonallyintersecting the surface concerned. Therefore, by the pedestal typedevice of the embodiments, it is possible to charge electronic devicethat is of the same kind but has different size of the display (mainbody), and to perform data communication. Furthermore, depending on thepositions of the second concave portion and the third concave portion,the electronic device can be made to be a vertically placed type ratherthan a horizontally placed type as in the above-described embodiments.

Moreover, although each of the cover and the connection plug issupported using the spring that is an example of an elastic body in theabove-described embodiments, at least one of the cover and theconnection plug may be supported using rubber.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, in order tomake possible to visually recognize the front (front surface) of theelectronic device, i.e., the display of the electronic device, and tosupport the electronic device from the front, the front support memberexcept for the projection portions is set to a height comparable as theupper surface (except for the projections) of the cover. Therefore, itis also possible to place the electronic device on the placement portionof the pedestal type device while seeing the connection portion of theconnection plug and the connector. However, this is an example, and asshown in FIG. 11, the front support member may be formed in a shape ofrectangular plate so that an upper end thereof may become the sameheight or almost the same height as the upper surface of the rearsupport portion (accommodation member). Otherwise, it is possible tomake a plate-like cover having a planer shape at the time of viewing thepedestal type device from the front be attachable to the front surfaceof the front support member.

When doing in this way, it is impossible to see the connection portionof the connection plug and the connector, or it is very difficult to seeit. However, in the first embodiment, if the convex portion of the rearsupport portion of the pedestal type device is fitted to the secondconcave portion of the rear surface of the electronic device, the twothird projections of the cover of the pedestal type device are fitted tothe two third concave portions in the undersurface of the electronicdevice, whereby the connection plug can be inserted to the connector.Furthermore, in the second embodiment, if matching the position of theelectronic device to the position capable of releasing the lock, thelock of the cover is released while the two third projections of thecover of the pedestal type device are fitted to the two third concaveportions in the undersurface of the electronic device, whereby theconnection plug can be inserted to the connector. That is, even if theconnection portion is invisible, it is possible to position theelectronic device to the pedestal type device thereby inserting theconnection plug to the connector easily. Furthermore, before positioningthe electronic device to the pedestal type device, since the connectionplug is protected by the cover and is movable in the vertical direction,it is possible to prevent a fault that the connection plug is broken atthe connecting portion with the circuit board from occurring.

In an aspect, an embodiment is a charger that charges an electronicdevice that has a first connection terminal and is placed on a placementportion of the charger, comprising: a second connection terminalconfigured to be electrically connected to the first connection terminalof the electronic device; and a spring that supports the secondconnection terminal movably in a direction that the electronic device isattached or detached, wherein a spring load of the spring is larger thana difference obtained by subtracting a weight of the charger from amaximum value of a removal force in removing the first connectionterminal from the second connection terminal.

According to this embodiment, since the spring load of the springsupporting the second connection terminal is set larger than thedifference obtained by subtracting the weight of the charger from themaximum value of the removal force in removing the first connectionterminal from the second connection terminal, it is possible to releasethe connection of the first connection terminal and the secondconnection terminal by lifting the electronic device while still puttingthe charger, without making the charger follow the electronic device.

In another aspect, an embodiment is a charger that charges an electronicdevice that has a first connection terminal and is placed on a placementportion of the charger, comprising: a second connection terminalconfigured to be electrically connected to the first connection terminalof the electronic device; and a spring that supports the secondconnection terminal movably in a direction that the electronic device isattached or detached, wherein a spring load of the spring is larger thana maximum value of an insertion force in inserting the second connectionterminal to the first connection terminal.

According to this embodiment, since the spring load of the springsupporting the second connection terminal is set larger than the maximumvalue of the insertion force in inserting the second connection terminalinto the first connection terminal, it is possible to insert the secondconnection terminal to the depths of the first connection terminal byonly placing the electronic device on the placement portion of thecharger.

In another aspect, an embodiment is a charger that charges an electronicdevice that has a first connection terminal and is placed on a placementportion of the charger, comprising: a second connection terminalconfigured to be electrically connected to the first connection terminalof the electronic device; a first movable member that surrounds thesecond connection terminal and is movable in a direction that theelectronic device is attached or detached; a second movable member thatis moved, when placing the electronic device, in a placing direction ofthe electronic device; and a third movable member that regulates amovement of the first movable member toward the placing direction whenthe second movable member is not moved, and is moved, when the secondmovable member is moved, in a direction perpendicular to the placingdirection according to a movement of the second movable member so as torelease regulation to the movement of the first movable member in theplacing direction.

According to this embodiment, at the time that the electronic device isplace, if the second movable member is moved in the placing direction ofthe electronic device, the third movable member is moved according tothis movement, whereby a state where the movement in the placingdirection of the first movable member is regulated to a state where theregulation is released. That is, it is possible to provide a lockmechanism that makes the first movable member in a movable state in theplacing direction of the electronic device o when the second movablemember is moved in the placing direction.

In a further embodiment, the charger further comprises a second fittingportion configured to be fitted to a first fitting portion in theelectronic device. The second movable member is configured to moveaccording to the movement of the electronic device, when the firstfitting portion is fitted to the second fitting portion.

According to this embodiment, by only fitting the first fitting portionand the second fitting portion to each other, the lock can be released.

In another embodiment, the charger further comprises a fourth fittingportion configured to be fitted to a third fitting portion in the sameplane of the electronic device as a plane that the first connectionterminal is provided. The first movable member is configured to move inthe placing direction of the electronic device when the third fittingportion is fined to e fourth fitting portion.

According to this embodiment, if it is constituted so that the firstconnection terminal and the second connection terminal face each otherwhen the third fitting portion and the fourth fitting portion are fittedto each other, when the third fitting portion and the fourth fittingportion are fitted to each other, the lock is released and the positionof the second connection terminal to the first connection terminal canbe determined.

Although certain example systems, devices and apparatuses have beendescribed herein, it is to be understood that the appended claims arenot to be limited to the systems, devices and apparatuses disclosed, buton the contrary, are intended to cover various modifications andequivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A charger that charges an electronic device whileplacing the same on a placement portion, comprising: a second fittingportion configured to be fitted to a first fitting portion on a firstsurface of the electronic device; a fourth fitting portion configured tobe fitted to a third fitting portion on a second surface that isdifferent from the first surface of the electronic device in a statewhere the first fitting portion is fitted to the second fitting portion;and a second connection terminal configured to be electrically connectedto a first connection terminal of the electronic device in conjunctionwith the fourth fitting portion.
 2. The charger according to claim 1,wherein the first surface intersects the second surface orthogonally orsubstantively orthogonally.
 3. The charger according to claim 1, whereinthe second fitting portion functions as a first positioning member thatdetermines a position of the electronic device to the placement portion,and the fourth fitting portion functions as a second positioning memberthat determines a position of the first connection terminal to thesecond connection terminal.
 4. The charger according to claim 1, whereina fitting precision of the second fitting portion and the first fittingportion is lower than a fitting precision of the third fitting portionand the fourth fitting portion.
 5. The charger according to claim 1,wherein the second fitting portion is in a position configured to fit tothe first fitting portion prior to the fourth fitting portion is fittedto the third fitting portion when placing the electronic device on theplacement portion.
 6. The charger according to claim 1, wherein thefourth fitting portion is movable in a direction perpendicular to adirection that the electronic device is placed on the placement portion.7. The charger according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic bodythat is disposed between the fourth fitting portion and a main body ofthe charger.
 8. The charger according to claim 1, wherein the secondconnection terminal is disposed between two fourth fitting portions. 9.The charger according to claim 1, further comprising a movable memberthat surrounds at least the second connection terminal, and configuredto move in a first direction that the electronic device is placed on theplacement portion.
 10. The charger according to claim 9, wherein thefourth fitting portion is on a surface of the movable member.
 11. Thecharger according to claim 10, wherein the fourth fitting portionincludes a projection having an inclined surface that is inclined to thefirst direction.
 12. The charger according to claim 10, wherein thefourth fitting portion includes a projection in a shape of cone ortruncated cone.
 13. The charger according to claim 9, further comprisinga first support member that supports the second connection terminalmovably in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; anda second support member that is different from the first support member,and supports the movable member movably in at least the seconddirection, wherein when the third fitting portion is fitted to thefourth fitting portion, the second connection terminal is moved in thesecond direction as the movable member is moved in the second direction.14. The charger according to claim 13 wherein each of the first supportmember and the second support member includes an elastic body.
 15. Acharger that charges an electronic device that has a first fittingportion and a first connection terminal, and is placed on a placementportion of the Charger, comprising: a second fitting portion configuredto be fitted to the first fitting portion; a second connection terminalconfigured to be electrically connected to the first connectionterminal; and a movable member that is movable in a directionperpendicular to a direction that the electronic device is placed on theplacement portion in conjunction with the second fitting portion, andsurrounds of the second connection terminal.
 16. A charging systemcomprising an electronic device and a charger that charges theelectronic device placed on a placement portion, wherein the electronicdevice comprises a first fitting portion on a first surface, and asecond fitting portion on a second surface that is different from thefirst surface and a first connection terminal, and the charger comprisesa third fitting portion configured to be is fitted to the first fittingportion, a fourth fitting portion configured to be fitted to the secondfitting portion in a state where the first fitting portion is fitted tothe third fitting portion, and a second connection terminal configuredto be electrically connected to the first connection terminal of theelectronic device in conjunction with the fourth fitting portion.